Collapsible tent frame



pr'li 12, 1932. F M, MACE 1,853,367

coLLAPsIBLE TENT-FRAME Filed April 22, 1931 3 SheelS-Sl'leel l INVENTOR ATTORNEY April 12, 1932. F M. MACE 1,853,367

COLLAPS IBLE TENT FRAME Filed April 22, 1931 3 Sheets-fSheet 2 INVENTOR April 12, 1932. F M MACE coLLAPsIBLE TENT FRAME Filed April 22, 1931 3 Sheets-Shet 3 ew X Q E ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 12, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT ore-ice FREDERICK M. MACE, F DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-TENTI-I T0 RALPH M. REEVES, OF DENVER, CLORADO coLLAPsIBLE TENT FRAME i Application filed April 22,A 1931. Serial No. 532,071.

This invention relates to tents and has especial relation to collapsible frames for tents. An object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible frame wherein the various parts are hingedly or pivotally connected, the construction being such that the frame may be packed in a relatively small space for convenient transportation and may be set up within a very short time and with a. minimum 1e amount of labor, when in position for use, will provide a strong and durable shelter for automobile tourists as well as for other types of campers.

,W ith the above and other objects in view, 15 the invention further includes the following novel features and details of construction, to be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a top plan View of a collapsible tent frame constructed in accordance with the invention and shown in position for use.

Figure 2 is an elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view showing the means for pivotally connecting the top rods.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation partly in sect-ion illustrating the construction of the vetrical standards and their connection with adjacent parts, the parts being in set up position.

Figure 5 is a similar view showing the parts collapsed.

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view through one of the standards and illustrating the manner of hingedly connecting the door frame.

Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts, the reference character 10 indicates horizontally spaced vertically disposed standards preferably of hollow tubular construction. Any number of these standards may be employed depending upon the size and shape of the tent, and the latter may be rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, circular or various other shapes.

The standards 10 are of sectional formation and include upper sections 11 and lower secbottom of the lower section 12 isv an angle plate 13 while a similar plate 14 is similarly secured tothe upper section l11.V Pivotally secured to these plates as shown at.15 are the f ends of bars or rods 16 and these bars or rods arepivotally connected as shown at 17. The bars or rods 16 provide extensible connecting means between the standards 10 and any number of these bars or rods may be employed so that the standards 10 may be relatively adjusted.-

In order to hold the standards 10 in their adjusted positions, the sections 11 and 12 which are telescopically engaged are connected by springs 18, the-latter serving to draw the sections togethery and consequently separate or extend the rods or bars 16 so as to force the standards 10 relatively outward. This movement is resisted by means of a rope or cable 19 which connects the upper ends of the standards so that when the frame is setup f a rigid structure isprovided.

Hingedly connected to the upper 'ends'. of the standards 10 as shown at 20 arelinks 21 and secured to these links are the ends of tubular rods 22 whose other ends are shaped to provide ears 23. These ears engage upon opposite sides of short tubular members 24 which are secured to a vertically disposed center pin 25. A ring 26 surrounds' the center post 25 and extends through the ears 23 and the tubular members 24 so that the rods 22 will be hingedly or pivotally secured.

The rods 22 are also of sectional formation, one section 27 being connected with a link 21 while the other section 2'8'which is telescopically connected withl the section 27 is pivotallysecured to a. tubular member 24. A spring 29 surrounds the section 27l and has one of its ends bearing against the end of the section 28 and its other end bearing against a pin 30 carried by the section 27 rso that the tendency of this spring is to force the sections 27 and 28 apart. A pin 31 which extends through the section 28 acts as a stop forthe adjacent end of the section 27 and 'limits relative inward movement of the sections.

Arranged between two ofthe standards 10 are door frames 32. These frames each include crossed rods or bars 33 which are connected as shown at 34. One end of these rods is connected as at 35 to a hinge 36, one of thesehinges being secured toV each of the plates 13 and '14 of the standard. A rope or cable 37 connects the other ends of the rods or bars 33 and has its ends connected to the plates 13 and 14 severally.

A sectional bar has the outer ends of its sections 38 pivotally connected as shown at 39 to sleeves carried by certa-inet1 the to-p rods 22. This bar extends across the top ofy the doorway and the adjacent ends of the sections 38 of this bar are hingedly connected to a clip 40 so that the bar may be swung upward, but its downward movement will be limited.

The Vframe may bereadily collapsed by bending the sections'38 of the bar toward the peal; of the tent and forcing the top rods 22 downward, the springs 29 serving to permit these rods to shorten so that they may ass dead center. The standards 10 may then e moved relatively inward so as to provide a compactly folded frame which may be secured upon the back or other convenient place of an automobile for convenient transportation.

The frame when set up may be stabilized by guy ropes 41 and pins 42.

'The invention is susceptible of various changes inV its form, proportions and minor details of construction and the right is herein reserved to make such changes as properly tall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention what is claimed is 1. In a collapsible tent frame, horizontally spaced vertically disposed standards, adjustable means connecting the tops of the standards, eXtensible means connecting the standards, means` to yieldingly force the standards apart, and means to resist relative outward movement of the standards.

2. In a collapsible tent frame, horizontally spaced vertically disposed standards, adjustable means connecting the tops of the standards, eXtensible means connecting the.

standards, means to yieldingly force the standards apart, means to resist relative outward movement of the standards, and a hingedly mounted door frame between two of the standards.

3. In a collapsible tent Jframe, horizontally spaced vertically disposed standards, adjustablemeans connecting the tops of the standards, eXtensible means located between and connecting the standards, means included in the standards and acting upon the extensible means to Jforce the standards apart, and means toresist relative outward movement o f the standards.

4. In a collapsible rtent frame, horizontally spacedl 'verticallyV disposed standards., ad-

justable means connecting the tops of the standards, said standards including upper and lower telescopically connected sections, pivotally connected crossed rods located between the standards and pivotally connected to the sections, springs connecting the sections to move the rods pivotally and force the standards apart, and means connecting the sections to resist relative outward movement.

5. In a collapsible-tent frame, horizontally spaced vertically disposed standards, eX- tensible means connecting the standards, means to yieldingly force the standards apart, means to resist relative outward movement of the standards, rods pivotally connected to the tops of the standards, and means whereby the rods may be moved upward to provide a peaked top supporting Jframe, and downward into. position between the standards and their extensible connect-ing means.

6. In a collapsible tent frame, horizontally spaced vertically disposed standards, eX- tensible means connecting the standards, means to yieldingly force the standards apart, means to resist relative outward movement of: the standards, sectional rods having one of their ends pivotally secured to the standards, spring means to force the sections apart, and means hingedly connecting the other ends of the rods.

FREDERICK M. MACE. 

